Questions about Classes

My friend got accused of cheating. How can I learn what is expected?

Academic Integrity is a serious issue at UCSB. Academic dishonesty can lead to suspension. As an international student, you must be enrolled full-time to be in status. If you are suspended, you cannot remain in the U.S. as a student. So, as your friend has discovered, international students have a lot to lose if they are caught cheating.
The talented international students from OISS and CommCollab worked together to make a video that might help you.
Some systems of citing sources (MLA, APA) and documenting research are unfamiliar to some international students. Nonetheless, YOU are responsible for knowing them. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you:

Your Local Living Address is the place you live while attending UCSB. It cannot be a P.O. Box.

Your Local Mailing Address is the place you prefer to get mail. This may be the same as your Local Living Address. This may be a P.O. Box.

Your Permanent Address is a steady address in your home country. It cannot be a P.O. Box or address within the U.S.

Once you update your address in GOLD, OISS will report the address changes in SEVIS.

OISS must have at least two addresses reported in GOLD:
a permanent address (OUTSIDE of the U.S.) and a local living address (inside Santa Barbara/Ventura County if you are a currently enrolled student). Log into GOLD to update your address now.

I want to take a class at another school while I'm enrolled at UCSB.

I have been accepted to a higher program level at UCSB. Now what?

If you have been accepted into a higher program level (for example, Bachelor's to Master's or Master's to Ph.D.), you must apply for a program level change I-20 or DS-2019 no later than 10 days before the end of your previous program.

F-1 Students: If you are currently on OPT, you must apply before the end date on your EAD card. Note that once the program level change I-20 is issued, your OPT will no longer be valid.

Failure to request the program level change in a timely manner may cause immigration issues, so please act accordingly.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTSI-20 or DS-2019 Request Form
Copy of UCSB Admission Letter or approved petition showing acceptance to higher program level
Proof of financial support (such as a bank statement or department support letter)

APPROVALOur current processing time for Change of Level requests is 10 business days. Once your request is approved, you will receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 to reflect your new program level and program start and end dates. Please make sure to review your documents to ensure that all information is valid and correct.

APPROVALOur current processing time for Change of Major requests is 10 business days. Once your request is approved, you will receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 to reflect your new major. Please make sure to review your documents to ensure that all information is valid and correct.

My DS-2019 is expiring and I need more time. What should I do?

If you need additional time to complete your program beyond your current program end date, you must apply for a program extension no later than two weeks before your current end date.
Failure to request the program extension in a timely manner may cause immigration issues, so please act accordingly.

Application Requirements

Approval

It takes about 10 business days for OISS to process requests for extensions. Once your request is approved, you will receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 to reflect your new program end date.
Please make sure to review your documents to ensure that all information is valid and correct.

Can I enroll in less than full-time units?

F-1 and J-1 students must enroll as full-time students during every quarter of their program of study at UCSB.
Students who are unable to maintain full-time enrollment for medical or academic reasons may apply for an exception by requesting a reduced course load. Students must request a reduced course load in advance.

Authorization is not automatic and not every student is eligible for a reduced course load.

I'm ending my program early. What do I need to do?

Students withdrawing from UCSB prior the their program end date must report their early withdrawal to OISS.Students change from F-1 or J-1 status to another status, such as H-1B, E-2, or permanent resident, must also report this change in order for their current status to be completed accordingly.

Withdrawing from UCSB

Students who plan to withdraw from their UCSB program of study with no intention to complete their degree requirements must complete and submit the following:

Questions about Renewing a Visa

Can I renew my visa in the U.S.?

It is not possible to renew your U.S. visa inside the United States. To renew your visa you must visit a U.S. Consulate/Embassy in your home country and have your visa application reviewed and processed by the consulate. There are no U.S. consulates in the U.S. therefore it is not possible to renew in the U.S.

What documents do I need to renew the F-1 visa in my passport?

The process for renewing your visa is the same application process as when you applied for your first F-1 visa. You will need to have the following documentation ready for your visa application and interview:

1.Passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the U.S.

2.Most recent and up to date UCSB I-20, with valid travel signature

3.Bank statement approved by your bank showing you have the minimum required funds to support your stay in the U.S. For funding requirements please see financial requirements for F-1 students. If bank statement is in a parent or relatives name please also submit a letter of support signed by the person providing the funding.

Questions about Travel

Can I travel in and out of the U.S. on my 30 day or 60 day grace period?

All F-1 students are given a 60 day grace period after the completion of their degree program. J-1 students are given 30 days after the completion of their program. The grace period was created to give students ample time to depart the U.S. Once a student leaves the U.S. during their grace period (regardless of whether it is the first day or the last day of the grace period) their J-1/F-1 status will be completed and they will no longer be able to enter the U.S. under their F-1 or J-1 visa.
For students considering re-entering using the Visa Waiver Program during their grace period, please understand that this is a risk and that the permission to enter the country falls solely on the immigration officer at the port of entry. This one person can decide if the student trying to re-enter has the right to do so or not. Because of this OISS recommends that all students do their traveling outside of the U.S. while they are in active F-1/J-1 status with a valid visa. OISS does not recommend trying to re-enter the U.S. until at least one month after the grace period has ended.

What is a Travel Signature and do I need one?

What is Travel Validation?

Your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, depending on your visa status) shows that you are in eligible to enter the U.S. as part of a UCSB program. U.S. Immigration officials will ask for your I-20 or DS-2019 whenever you enter the U.S.
So, if you travel out of the country for a vacation or a conference, you will be required to show your 1-20 or DS-2019 as you re-enter the U.S.. The good news is that you do not need to get a new document each time you enter the U.S. However, you must have your existing document validated by OISS. Once your document is validated, the validation is good for 6 months.

How Travel Validation Works

At least 2 business days before you plan to travel, drop off your I-20 or DS-2019 to the OISS office (3rd floor of the Student Resource Building). OISS staff will check your immigration record and confirm that you are still eligible to enter the U.S. You will be able to pick up your signed and validated document at the front desk after 2 business days. Easy!

J-1 Students
Students in J-1 status are must have employment authorization from OISS for any paid or unpaid positions, on-campus or off-campus. Academic Training is a form of employment authorization for J-1 students, who have employment opportunities located off-campus either while still a student at UCSB or after completing your studies at UCSB. Such training is allowed to help you gain work experience in areas directly related to your field of study. Learn more about Academic Training for J-1 students here.